A Brief History of Hardwood Flooring

Most homeowners are familiar with hardwood flooring. You’ve probably lived in a home that hardwoods at some point in your life, but how much did you know about the boards beneath your feet? If you’re considering hardwood floors for your White Bear Lake home, you may be interested to know more about the history of this ubiquitous and popular flooring option. Here’s a brief account from our team at Floor Coverings International White Bear Lake:

Origins of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring began being used in homes and workplaces as far back as the 1600s. At that time, unfinished planks would cover stone or dirt foundations in many places. Later in the same century and into the 1700s, handcrafted flooring would be used often for royalty and nobility — especially marquetry and parquetry patterns in French noble homes. It was hand-scraped and sanded, stained, and completely polished before being installed.

Hardwood Flooring in America

In early America, homeowners began using their vast store of natural woods to create their own wooden planks for flooring. At this time, plank lengths were usually random, and no polishing was done. Planks would simply be worn smooth over time by people’s feet.

In the 1800s, the techniques for installing wood floors in the home improved. However, there were still often gaps between floor planks, and hardwood floors did not yet hold the same level of sophistication we know today.

Updated Hardwood Flooring Styles

After the industrial revolution, less manpower was necessary for cutting down trees and creating wooden planks. This led manufacturers to begin focusing more on sheen and shine. Finished hardwood flooring became the norm, and it still is today.

Of course, carpeting has also challenged the widespread use of wooden flooring. However, hardwoods are still extremely popular, and they’re also cleaner, more stylish, and more resilient than ever before. Planks can also be installed easily with a snap-in system.

Considering Hardwood Flooring for Your Home?

If you are planning to purchase hardwood flooring for your White Bear Lake home, there are several factors you’ll need to think about: